| Belly Up to the Bar (continued)
Another view of the interior. Note the weathered siding. Paul also distressed
the floor, making it darker in areas where it would see more traffic (like
right inside the doorway, and near the pot-bellied stove).
As you may note, the model isn't an exact reproduction of the
original. Paul added and changed details, making the piece truly his own,
without sacrificing the "flavor" of the original--the sign of a true craftsman.
Paul also installed interior lighting. If I were a better photographer,
this photo wouldn't be as grainy. But heck, you get the idea--it
looks just as good in the dark as it does in the light!
He's continuing to build models for his own model railroad based on Rainbow
Ridge. Here are a few shots of his latest endeavor, based on the Panhandle
Hotel. First, the prototype:
The Panhandle Hotel, on the left. One room, rented by the hour. Photo courtesy
Paul.
Here's Paul's version. One can almost feel the springs in the bed in this
lovely little "B&B."
As you can see, Paul added and changed details, but
still kept the character of the original building intact.
The side stairway--presumably for fast escapes before
"John" woke up--is a nice touch. Photo courtesy Paul.
If it wasn't for the bowl of apples in the distance, one
might mistake this for a real building. Photo courtesy Paul.
Paul warned me that by publicizing his talent, I would only be contributing
to his over-inflated sense of ego and sense of self-worth. I do so knowing full
well I am contributing to his problem. But I told him that I was sure Mrs. Swab
would be able to rectify that problem, the next time she asks him to un-clog the
commode!
I hope to highlight Paul's progress on these pages. All I can say is, "Stay
tuned!"
|
